Letter to the Hon. Helen Johns
Minister of Citizenship, Culture And Recreation
from Steve Peters, Liberal Disability Critic
MPP, Elgin-Middlesex-London
January 25, 2000

 

January 25, 2000

Hon. Helen Johns
Minister of Citizenship, Culture And Recreation
6th Floor, 400 University Ave.
Toronto, ON
M7A 2R9

Dear Minister,

Thank you for taking the time to meet with my staff and myself last week. I am most appreciative. Further to our conversation, I hope this letter will work toward clarifying the issues raised during our meeting.

During our conversation you stated that your consultation process is already underway, as you are currently meeting with various stakeholders on a weekly basis in an effort to better understand the form and structure of your much-anticipated Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Minister, this is unacceptable. Why do you insist on continuing to pretend that informal, closed door, invitation only discussions constitute a consultation process?

I believe it is crucial that due to the confusion and frustration your government's inaction has caused within the disabled community there must be a formal open consultation process. I have expressed to you on numerous occasions that this would be best achieved through an all-party select committee of the Legislature that would travel and reach out to stakeholders throughout Ontario.

Lastly, I feel it is unfortunate that you will not commit to embrace the 11 principles outlined by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee. It concerns me that you feel some of these principles are not viable and will not be included in your new legislation.

I look forward to achieving our common goal.

Sincerely,

Steve Peters, M.P.P.
Elgin-Middlesex-London

 

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